5 stars in India, 4 in Japan: Suzuki eVitara's safety ratings reveal an unexpected twist

Safety arsenal

The India-spec Suzuki eVitara comes equipped with seven airbags, Level-2 ADAS, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control. Buyers also get features such as electronic stability control, a 360-degree camera and an emergency SOS button. But the real question is how these features translate into protection when accidents happen.

Crash reality

The Suzuki eVitara delivered mixed results in Japan's crash tests. It earned the highest Level 5 for driver protection in the full-width frontal impact test and side-impact protection. However, rear-seat passenger protection and offset frontal collision performance received Level 4. The findings offer a closer look at how the SUV protects occupants in different crashes.

Braking blindspot

The eVitara impressed Japan NCAP with its automatic emergency braking technology, earning Level 5 in several pedestrian and cyclist detection tests. But complex intersections exposed weaker areas. Emergency braking for vehicles crossing at intersections received just Level 2, while a right-turn motorcycle scenario earned Level 3. Even advanced safety technology has its limitations.

Price puzzle

Starting at ₹16.19 lakh and going up to ₹20.21 lakh, the Suzuki eVitara offers two battery options: 49kWh and 61kWh. The company claims a maximum driving range of up to 543 km. With a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating and a different 4-star verdict in Japan, buyers have more than just range and price to consider before making a decision.

Safety surprise

Made in India, but two different safety verdicts! The Suzuki eVitara has scored 4 stars in Japan NCAP's 2026 assessment, despite securing 5 stars under Bharat NCAP. The contrast could surprise Indian buyers, but there's an important catch: Japan and India follow different testing standards, so the results cannot be directly compared.